Habits

A habit is primarily an action, an acquired pattern of behavior, that is done often and therefore easily. Some so-called bad habits are hard to break because they are so well rehearsed that they appear to be automatic. Thought patterns and self-talk can also take on the nature of a habit due to the amount of repetition of the same thought that an individual entertains. Popular books such as The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Habits of the Heart show that life patterns can work for good or ill in individuals and society as a whole.

A Way of Life

Though the Bible seldom makes use of the word habit, it does have a great deal to say about one’s “way of life,” what one “believes and practices.” Certainly the Scriptures encourage acquired patterns of behavior that are godly and so well rehearsed and done so often as to come easily. For example, Job regularly practiced being a priest-father so that his children would walk regularly in forgiveness (Job 1:5). Jesus was known to have two habits (noted as “customs” in the NIV): regularly attending the synagogue (Luke 4:16) and teaching when a crowd gathered (Mark 10:1). The apostle Paul similarly had the ministry habit of going to the synagogues to reason with the Jews from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 17:2). Near the end of his life Paul could say to young Timothy about Paul’s habits: “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecution, sufferings” (2 Tim. 3:10).

The Bible also shows that people can develop negative and ungodly habits. Jeremiah speaks the Lord’s mind about Jehoiakim by saying that his way of life from his youth was not to listen or to obey God (Jeremiah 22:21). Behind the false teaching in Ephesus is the widows’ habit of gossiping from house to house (1 Tim. 5:13). The author to the Hebrews tells the believers he writes because they have gotten out of the habit of meeting together and encouraging one another to love and good works and therefore have gotten into a habit of not persevering in the faith (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Becoming What You Do

By developing habits one becomes what one does. This is readily apparent in the proverbs of Solomon. The stated purpose of this collection of wise sayings is “for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life” (Proverbs 1:3). A cursory reading of Proverbs 11-14 shows the acquired speech habits of the wise and the foolish. The wise have learned how to guard their tongue, keep secrets, and use kind and true words (Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 12:17, 22-23, 25; Proverbs 13:3), while the foolish have practiced gossip, mockery, and reckless and rash words (Proverbs 11:9, 13; Proverbs 12:17-18, 22; Proverbs 13:1, 3; Proverbs 14:6). The New Testament encourages the believer to become who he or she is in Christ by the habitual practice of putting off the flesh and putting on Christ (compare Col. 3 and Ephes. 4-5), of walking in the Spirit (Romans 8; Galatians 5) and setting the mind on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8). What one repeatedly practices does become an automatic part of one’s behavior.

Unlearning Habits

Difficulties in developing godly habits stem primarily from three arenas: (1) learned and acted-out behaviors, whether poor, neutral or sinful, that are left unexamined; (2) negative patterns of thinking or belief that are not challenged and unlearned; and (3) unrealistically high expectations that lead to continued self-defeating minimal goal achievement. Classic behavioral psychology suggests that when pleasure accompanies behavior, the behavior is likely to repeat. Bad habits usually have some form of pleasurable payoff, which reinforces the continued behavior. Changing the cues that precede the undesirable behavior helps break the automatic behavior. The Christian who is serious about breaking ungodly habits will seek both prayer and counseling wisdom in order to ensure that there are not hidden reinforcers to the undesirable behavior.

What You See Is What You Do

Establishing new and godly habits assumes that one has experienced the new nature in Christ and the accompanying promptings of the Spirit to pursue the ways of God. Building on this foundation, you can help yourself with several practical steps. First, observe and imitate the behavior you want to develop. You can imitate the behavior of Jesus or the apostle Paul (1 Cor. 4:16; 1 Thes. 1:6; 2 Thes. 3:7) or another person who demonstrates a positive attitude or behavior. Interacting with a model is a powerful force for change. Second, examine your life to see where you are already doing even a little bit of the behavior. Understand what you are doing right—what thoughts, motives, pleasures and so on accompany the behavior, regardless of how occasional it is—and do more of it. Third, positively reinforce the new behaviors you are seeking to establish as habits. Built-in reinforcers are a plus, but don’t depend on these. Finally, give yourself some time. If you have lived out a habit for years, then it will take more than a week to change.

A Promise

As you go about establishing godly habits, remember the promises of Solomon’s wisdom for those who find a way of life, who acquire a pattern of behavior consistent with the fear of God: prolonged life, favor and a good name in the sight of God and others (Proverbs 3:2-3).

» See also: Discipleship

» See also: Family Values

» See also: Spiritual Disciplines

» See also: Spiritual Formation

» See also: Spiritual Growth

» See also: Values

» See also: Virtues

References and Resources

R. Bellah et al., Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985); D. G. Benner, Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985); S. R. Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (New York: Fireside/Simon & Schuster, 1989); L. Ezell, Private Obsessions (Dallas: Word, 1991); D. M. L. Jones, Spiritual Depression—Its Causes and Cure (London: Pickering and Inglis, 1965).

—Michael Nichols